Setting up coilovers - any tips?
Discussion
I have bought some budget (Tecknik) coilovers from ebay for my e46 328 bmw, as the shocks all round were soggy, two were blown and it handled like a blamange.
Despite measuring both rear height adjusters on the springs, and ensuring they were equal, the car sits 20mm higher on one side than the other. I will double check the springs have seated correctly, but if so, why would they not be sat level?
The fronts are yet to be fitted, due to running out of light tonight. They have the obvious height adjustment on the springs, but also some secondary adjustment on the bottom of the shocks where it slides into the hub. How do I go about setting them up correctly? I can play with ride height easily, just want a reasonable starting point. also, I assume I use all the original top mounts, washers etc etc?
Despite measuring both rear height adjusters on the springs, and ensuring they were equal, the car sits 20mm higher on one side than the other. I will double check the springs have seated correctly, but if so, why would they not be sat level?
The fronts are yet to be fitted, due to running out of light tonight. They have the obvious height adjustment on the springs, but also some secondary adjustment on the bottom of the shocks where it slides into the hub. How do I go about setting them up correctly? I can play with ride height easily, just want a reasonable starting point. also, I assume I use all the original top mounts, washers etc etc?
Mine are on an e36, but I think the differences will be minimal.
Firstly, if you have only changed the rears & one of the fronts is completely shot, that may "twist" the car on the rears & give a difference, so I would suggest fitting all before doing anything.
The way I set mine up was to make the ground level first. Which I did with a length of clear plastic pipe to make up a water level to enable me to ensure the car was levelled using "shims" of thin wood under the wheels (after checking all tyre pressures obviously) I then quite simply adjusted the ride heights until I got the desored height all round whilst keeping the car level from side to side.
Just one other point, which you may not have considered, and that is that not all cars shells are perfect & there is always the possibility that it could be twisted VERY slightly. If you can't set it up as above (or another way) then this could be your answer.
Firstly, if you have only changed the rears & one of the fronts is completely shot, that may "twist" the car on the rears & give a difference, so I would suggest fitting all before doing anything.
The way I set mine up was to make the ground level first. Which I did with a length of clear plastic pipe to make up a water level to enable me to ensure the car was levelled using "shims" of thin wood under the wheels (after checking all tyre pressures obviously) I then quite simply adjusted the ride heights until I got the desored height all round whilst keeping the car level from side to side.
Just one other point, which you may not have considered, and that is that not all cars shells are perfect & there is always the possibility that it could be twisted VERY slightly. If you can't set it up as above (or another way) then this could be your answer.
If my memory serves me correctly there are spring pads of different thickness available, only for the rear. But fit all the new shocks etc first before setting the ride height.
The best way to set up coil overs with adjustable springs is by standing the car on 4 individual scales and adjusting to correct the weight in pairs for the front and rear, you will find that when making adjustments the ride height will change as the weight changes.
This is along procedure to get it right, also the 4 wheel alignment will have to be re-set, and with BMW's the car has to be set to the fully loaded position by adding weight to the car to set the alignment correctly, good luck !!!
The best way to set up coil overs with adjustable springs is by standing the car on 4 individual scales and adjusting to correct the weight in pairs for the front and rear, you will find that when making adjustments the ride height will change as the weight changes.
This is along procedure to get it right, also the 4 wheel alignment will have to be re-set, and with BMW's the car has to be set to the fully loaded position by adding weight to the car to set the alignment correctly, good luck !!!
Thanks guys. I have driven around 15 miles today and the car has settled level. My plan is to get new tyres organised, then get the front coilovers fitted and set up by a mate who is a BDC Drift driver, and sets up his drift Skyline so knows what he is doing. Once the heights are all sorted and look right, and any necessary spacers etc are fitted, I will get a 4 wheel alignment done, and then will have a decent handling/looking car.
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